Lebese scores match-winner
Lebese scores match-winner

Posted in Match Report, News on Apr 15, 2017.

15 April 2017

 

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Lebese 85’)

Chippa United     0

What Happened?

It wasn’t an easy game, but Kaizer Chiefs extended its unbeaten league run to 12 games, beating Chippa United 1-0 thanks to a late goal from substitute George Lebese.

Venezuelan striker Gustavo Páez came into the Starting XI for the suspended Bernard Parker, but otherwise the line-up was the same as in the recent Absa Premiership wins over Bloemfontein Celtic and Mamelodi Sundowns,

The first half was a closely contested affair with few opportunities for either side. Chiefs were slightly the more threatening side, but it didn’t result in any goals in the first 45 minutes of play.

George Maluleka again worked his socks off in the centre of midfield, while Ramahlwe Mphahlele regularly made threatening runs forward over the right flank.

The best chance came for Páez on the brink of half-time when his volley, after a fine cross from Joseph Molangoane, just missed the target.

Coach Steve Komphela decided to ring the changes at the start of the second half, bringing on George Lebese for Edmore Chirambadare.

There was again some good work from Mphahlele in the 57th minute, setting nicely up a chance for Siphiwe Tshabalala to pounce on, but ‘Shabba’ couldn’t find the target.

Another substitution followed in the 64th minute, when William Twala came on for Molangoane.

The second half was competitive, with both sides trying to go forward, even though it didn’t result again in many goalscoring opportunities.

The first attempt on target, however, only arrived in the 74th minute after Páez’s shot at goal after a fine through-ball from Lebese. But the Chippa goalkeeper managed to stop the ball.

Eleven  minutes later it was Lebese who scored the match-winner after a fine run on the flank from Twala.

It was a tough game, but the Glamour Boys got in the end the points they were looking for, which means that Chiefs continue to be in the running for the league title.

Gallery

 

[gallery ids="34324,34323,34322,34321,34320,34315,34317,34319"]

Key moment in the match:

That must have been the beautiful run of William Twala in the 85th minute, running down the right flank, going inside to pass the ball to George Lebese, who was on the right side of the box, cutting inside to neatly finish. However, it was Twala’s brilliant run that created the goal.

Most Valuable Player (MVP):

Some would say George Lebese should have been the Man of the Match for his match-winning goal that gave Amakhosi the three points. However, to be fair, it was handed to Ramahlwe ‘Rama’ Mphahlele for his continuous runs up and down the flank. He not only defended well, but his tireless runs up-front always put pressure on the Chippa defence.

What it means:

It means that Kaizer Chiefs are now in second position on the Absa Premiership log, with the same number of points as log leaders Cape Town City (both sides are on 45 points).

Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Mphahlele, Mathoho, Gordinho, Masilela (Ekstein 77’); Molangoane (Twala 64’), Katsande, Maluleka, Chirambadare (Lebese 46’); Tshabalala, Páez

Subs not used: Bvuma, Cardoso, Baloyi, Katsvairo

Chippa United 11: Akpeyi; Shiba, Bergman, Chabalala, Mako; Masuku, Sangweni, Zuke, Mbenyane; Sali (Bereng 32’), Manzini (Mncube 89’)

Subs not used: Mothwa, Conwood, Zulu, Mdlinzo, Sekome

Next Match: Next up for the Amakhosi is a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal fixture against SuperSport United at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 22 April (kick-off at 18:00).

 

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